Some juggled their art with more pressing responsibilities — like Hibi, who single-handedly raised her two children after her husband’s death by working in a garment factory, all while painting and attending art classes. Others went on to dedicate themselves to activism and community service, including the fight for reparations.

The exhibited artists and their art “tell you that you can never squash and turn off the human spirit, and there’s an act of resilience,” Ambassador Emanuel said. “There’s a lesson from that, too.”